Every year electrical shocks and fires cause hundreds of deaths. We encourage you to take a few minutes to read these safety tips. You never know what you may have forgotten or overlooked.

Fuses & Circuit breakers

• If a fuse blows out, find out why it blew before you replace it
• When replacing a fuse, make sure that it's size correctly matches the circuit
• Irons and other electrical appliances draw a lot of electrical current, don't plug more that one of them into the same outlet

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters)

GFCI's are inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware store. Most if not all newer homes, mobile homes and manufactured homes have these installed before your purchase. However, some older homes may not have them. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to install them. This is easy to do: They should be placed at the beginning of the circuit in the kitchen where there are outlets on counters and or islands, in bathrooms outdoor plugs, garages and basements, or anyplace there may be water close by.

Electrical Outlets

• Have a qualified electrician replace old electrical outlets with new approved ones
• Never alter a plug to fit an outlet
• If you have small children, install plastic safety covers in unused outlets

Appliances

• Only buy appliances that have labels stating they've been tested by an independent lab
• Keep all heat producing appliances - heaters, irons, etc. - at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains, clothing, etc.
• Unplug small appliances when they are not being used
• Make sure there is adequate air space around all electronic items such as computers, stereos, etc.

Cords

• Only used cords that have a marked rating
• Replace cracked or frayed cords
• Keep cords away from traffic areas and where children can get to them
• Don't run cords under carpet or across doorways

Lamps

• Keep lamps away from things that can burn
• Place lamps on level surfaces
• Use only bulbs that match the lamps recommended wattage

Outdoor Power

• All outdoor electrical fixtures should be weatherproof
• Use GFCI outlets
• Holiday lights should be plugged into permanently installed GFIC outlets
• Use only extension cords rated for outdoor use

Power Lines

• NEVER touch a power line
• Keep ladders and other metal objects away from power lines
• Report downed power lines